Outbreak of Listeria monocytogenes from frozen vegetables

In March 2018, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) already announced that frozen corn is likely to be the source of Listeria monocytogenes strain infections that have been persistent since 2015. The EU countries affected are Denmark, Finland, Austria, Sweden and Great Britain.

As of 15 June 2018, the outbreak included 47 reported cases and 9 deaths. In the context of the reconnaissance investigations, the outbreak strain in deep-frozen corn, vegetable mix with corn, spinach and green beans could be detected.

It is assumed that the outbreak strain has persisted in the production environment of a Hungarian company since 2016. At the end of June, the Hungarian Food Safety Authority ordered an immediate recall of all products manufactured in this plant between 2016 and 2018.

In our Berlin food laboratory bilacon we regularly carry out this examination for Listeria monocytogenes. By means of a quick method (Vidas) the results are available within 28 hours.